Second Chances: To Fame or Shame

Scriptural Text: John 21:15-17

During the NFL offseason, two men in the Denver Broncos front office were convicted of DUIs. Team president John Elway suspended both of them, but he did not fire them. When asked why Tom Heckert and Matt Russell were not fired, Elway replied, “Heck, I’ve made a lot of poor decisions too. I believe in second chances.”—Jim L. Wilson and Rodger Russell

DEFINITIONS: chance

■ noun

1 a possibility of something happening.

2 (chances) the probability of something desirable happening.

3 an opportunity. (a situation favoring some purpose: opportunity)

We serve a God of second chances. After Peter denied him three times, Jesus repeated his commission to Peter three times: “Feed my sheep.” Thank goodness he doesn’t dismiss us when we make mistakes.

Denial, repentance and restoration: the example of Peter (Mk 14:29–30; Mk 14:31; Mt 26:69–75; Jn 21:15-19)

Peter’s denial predicted by Jesus Christ

Mark 14:29–30 (ESV) — 29 Peter said to him, “Even though they all fall away, I will not.” 30 And Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”

Peter declares he will never deny Jesus Christ

Mark 14:31 (ESV) — 31 But he said emphatically, “If I must die with you, I will not deny you.” And they all said the same.

Peter denied that he knew Jesus Christ

Matthew 26:69–75 (ESV) — 69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came up to him and said, “You also were with Jesus the Galilean.” 70 But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you mean.” 71 And when he went out to the entrance, another servant girl saw him, and she said to the bystanders, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” 72 And again he denied it with an oath: “I do not know the man.” 73 After a little while the bystanders came up and said to Peter, “Certainly you too are one of them, for your accent betrays you.” 74 Then he began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, “I do not know the man.” And immediately the rooster crowed. 75 And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly.

Peter’s restoration to Christ (Jn 21:15–17)

He was reinstated by Jesus Christ in front of other disciples. This brings to mind:

Jackie Robinson was the first black person to play major league baseball. While breaking baseball’s color barrier, he faced jeering(abusing vocally) crowds in every stadium.

While playing one day in his home stadium in Brooklyn, he committed an error. His own fans began to ridicule him. He stood at second base, humiliated, while the fans jeered.

Then shortstop “Pee Wee” Reese came over and stood next to him. He put his arm around Jackie Robinson and faced the crowd. The fans grew quiet. Robinson later said that arm around his shoulder saved his career.

Jesus put his arm around Peter. After his denial of Christ, Peter was in need of a second chance, and Jesus, through His grace, provided this so Peter can go forward."

"Second chances encourage us to go on and not to give up even when the whispers of the world around us seem to say the opposite.”

1. After the meal, Jesus focused on Peter

2. Do you love me more than these?

a. Pointed to the disciples

b. Pointed to the fishing equipment (his business)

c. The Lord’s commission: Feed my lambs

Point One: A man must know that he is nothing apart from Christ

3. Do you love me with God’s love—love me enough to feed

a. God’s love (agapao, sacrificial)

b. Peter’s love (phileo, brotherly)

c. The Lord’s commission: Feed my sheep

4. Do you love me as a loyal brother—love me with agape love or phileo love?

a. The Lord’s question: Do you really love me as a brother (phileo)?

b. Peter’s strong declaration: Jesus knew that he loved Him as a brother

c. The Lord’s final commission: Feed my sheep (my church)

Point Two: Love is the one basic essential for ministry (service)[John 13:33-35; 14:15)

God is not only the God of second chances; He is the God of another chance. This is good news because most of us mess up the second chance fairly quickly. One of the amazing facets of God’s character is His incredible patience with us.

The God of One More Chance

A man named Peter stumbled bad Lost all the love he ever had Fouled his own soul’s spring Cursed and swore and all that sort of thing. He got another chance and then He reached the goal of God—like me.

A boy goes wrong the same as he Who fed swine in a far country He seems beyond the utmost reach Of hearts that pray, of lips that preach. Give him another chance and see How beautiful his life may be.

Paul cast the young man Mark aside But Barnabas his metal tried Called out his courage, roused his vim And made a splendid man of him Then Paul, near death, longed for a glance Of Mark who’d had another chance.

King David one dark day, fell down Lost every jewel from his crown He had another chance and found His kingly self, redeemed, recrowned Now lonely souls and countless throngs Are lifted by his deathless songs.

For fallen souls—arise, advance Ours is the God of one more chance.

Source unknown

Point Three: A believer must be patient with others, and forgiving as God (Colossians 3:12,13; Matt 6:15; Eph 4:32)

Jesus gives a stern warning to those who refuse to forgive, saying that if we will not forgive others, God will not forgive us (Matthew 6:15; see also Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; and Proverbs 19:11). If someone is truly repentant, then we are obligated to forgive (Matthew 18:21–22).

Point Four: To our shame when we continue to spurn God’s patience and reject His call to repentance. (Romans 1:18-32; 2 Peter 3:9)

When we insist on running our lives the way we want rather than the way God wants, He lets us. Eventually, when our hearts are hardened against Him, He lets us go. He turns us over to a reprobate mind, one that can no longer seek God. At that point, sin has become our god.

2 Peter 3:9 (ESV) 9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.